Thread by @mikelecouteur

The leader of the newly-created People’s Party of Canada (PPC) @MaximeBernier #cdnpoli

Bernier says he came up with that name “because it’s time that the government put the Canadian people first when they make decisions and policies” #cdnpoli

According to @MaximeBernier - his new party (PPC) has already raised $140k despite being unable to issue tax receipts #cdnpoli

Some of the PPC’s planks (according to the release)
- respect taxpayers
- respect our Constitution
- equally respect all regions, provinces and territories
- respect our traditions, our history, and what makes Canada a unique place in the world... #cdnpoli

Bernier promises to have 338 candidates in the next election

According to @MaximeBernier “Canadian politics has been hijacked by interest groups, cartels, lobbies, international organizations, corporate or union interests, and the interests of politicians and bureaucrats in Ottawa who are disconnected from ordinary citizens” #cdnpoli

Asked about his new party’s policies on climate change... @MaximeBernier says it’s coming later #cdnpoli

“We will be a sort of coalition” @MaximeBernier says of the policies the PPC will put forward

“We will be able to attract some of the Jean Chretien and Paul Martin Liberals who are want to see balanced budgets” - @MaximeBernier on who he hopes to bring to the PPC #cdnpoli

Bernier says the $140k in donations to the PPC was from about 2,500 individuals #cdnpoli

“I question multiculturalism to the extreme, that Justin Trudeau is promoting - @MaximeBernier on immigration #cdnpoli

“If a new Canadian thinks that gays don’t have the same rights as others, they shouldn’t come to Canada” - @MaximeBernier #cdnpoli

“People who share our values will be welcome in our party, those who don’t share our values will not be welcome in our party” - @MaximeBernier #cdnpoli

Bernier admits his now-infamous book will come out at a later date because “he’s got other things to take care of now” #cdnpoli